YOUR LETTERS, SO TOUCHING AND INSPIRING
Today, I bring you letters inspired by my 72nd birthday on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. I was deeply touched by the best wishes from friends and colleagues, dating back to 1989 when I was the pioneer editor of the Weekend Concord—a paper that brings back fond memories of our adventures in human angle and tabloid journalism. Here are letters and tributes from some of the great journalists who worked with me to create an unforgettable newspaper that Nigerians look back to with nostalgia:
***
July 23, 2024. It is the birthday of a quintessential journalist, pioneer Editor of Weekend Concord and pioneer Managing Director of The Sun Newspapers, Chief Mike Awoyinfa. Happy birthday to this amiable gentleman and a great Concordian. We wish you many happy returns in good health. May God Almighty continue to bless, guard and guide you and all yours. Amen—Aliu Mohammed
Happy 72nd birthday to my Boss forever Mr Mike Awoyinfa, my Editor at the Weekend Concord, February 1989 to May 1990. I can never thank you enough Sir. May you and your family never lack—Dele Momodu
Today, I pay tribute to one man who made the difference in my career as a journalist. As a member of the National Youth Service Corp in 1990, I did my primary assignment at the famous Weekend Concord, the tabloid that was the bestselling title of the Concord Newspaper Group. And in one year, Mike Awoyinfa turned me from a greenhorn rookie reporter to a wordsmith. His style was simply inspiring and empathetic. He was not just a boss but a leader, a mentor and a coach. He corrected firmly but with love and understanding. He tolerated my inadequacies and shortcomings. He taught me everything about writing well and casting good headlines. I remember when I left Weekend Concord in February of 1991, I went to Vanguard and won the Best Reporter in April 1991. That was the result of his tutelage and training. God bless the Editor of Editors, Mike Awoyinfa—Blessyn Okpowo
Happy 72nd birthday to our professional father, Mike Awoyinfa, a living legend by all standards, revolutionary media bigwig, writer and master of breathtaking headline casting. We celebrate a great man who produced journalism of excellence day after day, year after year, throughout his career. We pay homage to a media titan who has left a legacy of commitment to quality and values that should be the goal of every journalist. May God grant you long life and good health—Kemi Akinyemi
Happy birthday to a man of impact, the torchbearer, my mentor, mentor of mentors. Long may you live in sound health and endless joy. Congratulations sir—Shola Oshunkeye
Happy birthday to our darling Editor of Editors. May you continue to live long. Special blessings to you and your family—Tunji Bello
Happy birthday to a great, bright and brilliant editor. Many happy returns in all round goodness and prosperity in Jesus name. Enjoy your new year—Tinu Odugbemi
Mike Awoyinfa. I call him Mikki-Mikki. Happy birthday to our ever-smiling, diligent gentleman. May your days be long in all-round sound health and abundance in Jesus name. Amen—Linda Osarenren
Happy birthday to another shinning light of journalism. Your editorship of Weekend Concord changed the face and phase of weekend newspapers in our country. God bless your new age—Olayinka Oyegbile
Happy birthday sir. Congratulations. Many happy returns in Jesus name. As your days are, so shall your strength be in Jesus name. Amen. Enjoy the day sir—Femi Adesina
Congratulations sir on your 72nd birthday. I thank God on your behalf for His sustaining grace upon your life and family and for His mighty hands of divine protection over you all these years. You are a legend of the Nigerian Media and a living testimony indeed. Your impact and contributions are truly appreciated Sir. I and my family and my colleagues in POSTERITY MEDIA celebrate you. We wish you many more years in good health and sound mind with abundant joy and happiness. More greatness yet lies ahead of you Sir. Congratulations once again. Happy birthday and many happy returns in Jesus name—Femi Kolawole
This is wishing you many more years of God’s grace and blessings as you add another year in the land of the living. Congratulations and happy birthday sir—Femi Babafemi
Happy birthday to Oga Mike…a great pride to Nigerian journalism—Lanre Arogundade
God bless your new age, my humble, affable and most creative headline caster in the hue of London’s famous tabloid: The Sun. May He grant you more length of days in wellness and robust health in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen!—Yemi Adeosun
The Lord bless you and keep you. Happy birthday to you sir—Larry Izamoje
Happy birthday to a man of integrity. Very good and a competent leader—Titilayo Balogun
Micho Mike, a quintessential journalist, happy birthday to you, longer life in good health and prosperity. The Lord God shall remain your strength. —Seye Adekeye
Happy birthday sir. Greater grace ahead. It is well with you.—Bishop James Akinadewo
Many happy returns to the Great Headline Master crafter—Bisikay Ayedun
Editor of Editors. Happy birthday—Williams Kays
Very happy birthday and many more to a brilliantly gifted writer—Anthony Opo Okonkwo
Many blissful returns to the doyen of human angle journalism. Congratulations and happy birthday sir—Asiwaju Tunde Raheem
The King of Tabloid Journalism. Respect sir. You changed the entire landscape of vibrant journalism from your days at the Weekend Concord—Kenny Rich Korazomolony
Daddy, as you celebrate your birthday, I pray for total happiness and sunshine in your life. May God make each day of your life as beautiful and as golden as you are. May the Almighty add more years of happiness and good health to your life. May you never stop receiving the favor of God in your life. I pray that our Heavenly Father will be with you to grant you good health and strength today and every new day of your life. I pray that you find great success in all the endeavors of your life. May showers of blessings fall upon you as you celebrate this special day—Canon Festus Akintayo
Happy birthday to my egbon from Ijesha land. A great gentleman full of love of the things of God, cool and collected in all situations and full of humility in spite of his many achievements. May you live long sir and constantly reap the fruit of your labour. Amen and amen in Jesus mighty name—Justice Bisi Ogungbesan
